US Maritime Administration's fourth National Security Multimission Vessel hits the water

Hanwha Philly Shipyard (formerly Philly Shipyard) in Pennsylvania has launched the fourth National Security Multimission Vessel (NSMV) ordered by the US Maritime Administration (MARAD).

The future Lone Star State will be operated by the Texas A&M Maritime Academy on behalf of MARAD. As an NSMV, the vessel belongs to a class of training ships that will also be available to support US federal government efforts in response to national and international disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

In their roles as National Defense Reserve Fleet vessels, the five NSMVs will also incorporate medical capabilities, a command and control platform, and berthing for up to 1,000 first responders and recovery workers.

Upon completion, the future Lone Star State will have a length of 525.1 feet (160.05 metres), a beam of 89 feet (27 metres), a draught of 21 feet (6.5 metres), a depth of 55 feet (16.8 metres), and a deadweight of 8,487. The standard facilities for 600 cadets and 100 crewmembers will consist of eight classrooms, a full training bridge, laboratories, and an auditorium that can seat 600.

For the disaster relief role, the NSMV will rely on a side Ro-Ro ramp, space for containers, a cargo crane, and a helicopter pad.